Countdown for Pacific Youth and Sports Conference

In less than one day to go , hundreds of young people from across the Pacific region will descend on the TelstraClear Pacific Centre in Manukau for the first ever Pacific Youth and Sports Conference.

The conference, set to take place from 15-20 March, will provide a forum for 16 to 25 year olds to engage and explore youth-related issues with a specific focus on sport.

CEO Franck Castillo says that over 800 have already registered but that places and delegations from the islands are already making there way to Auckland.

“This is an amazing opportunity for our youth leaders to come together and exchange ideas on key social issues and to look at ways in which sport can build stronger communities,” says Castillo.

“Those who are interested in attending will need to get their applications through to us by 28 February at the latest to secure a spot at the event.”

Organised by Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) together with the Manukau City Council, the conference will include workshops and seminars based around central themes including health, education and training, citizenship and good governance, social integration and anti-discrimination.

Castillo says the aim is to establish action plans that will increase participation of young people in society through sport and build structures whereby youth associations, government institutions and sports organisations can be more closely linked.

“The conference will include fun and entertainment but it is also crucial to extract concrete outcomes. In order to achieve this, we will ask those involved in the workshops to draw up action plans for the future and then present these to all delegates at a final presentation ceremony.”

At the completion of the conference, OFC will hold a meeting involving youth and sports ministers from around the region who can adopt the action plans that are born during the event.

The confederation will also be involved in the implementation of new projects with assistance from its supporters FIFA, Manukau City Council, the Australian Government, Football Federation Australia, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, the Human Rights Commission, Cue Sports, NZ Aids Foundation and Special Olympics.

PACIFIC YOUTH AND SPORTS CONFERENCE 2010

What: Pacific Youth and Sports Conference
Where: TelstraClear Pacific Centre, Manukau, New Zealand
Date: 15-20 March 2010
Who: Young people aged 16-25 years from NZ and across the Pacific region

An amazing opportunity for students, young staff and youth leaders!!!

Source: OFC